It is noted that contacts with the Azov militants who have settled at the plant and representatives of the SBU continue to be maintained in the interests of rescuing civilians remaining there.
“During the negotiations, they offered us to exchange civilian hostages for food and medicine,” RIA Novosti quotes the words of a representative of the headquarters.
He added that the militants offered to exchange 15 hostages for a ton of food, as well as medicine.
“They warned that no one else would be allowed to go to Ukraine, now they will only be exchanged,” summed up a representative of the headquarters of the operation to liberate the plant.
The Russian Defense Ministry previously reported that on May 5, 6 and 7, from 08:00 to 18:00, the military will open a corridor for the evacuation of civilians from the plant.
The armed forces of Russia and the forces of the DPR will cease hostilities and withdraw to a safe distance so that civilians can go “in any directions they choose” - both to the territory of Russia and to areas controlled by the Kyiv authorities.
On May 1, another 80 civilians held by Ukrainian nationalists were rescued from Azovstal.
After the evacuation, they were provided with accommodation and food.